Grape plant named ‘Faith’

ABSTRACT

Description and specifications of a new and distinct grapevine cultivar named ‘Faith’ which originated from a hand-pollinated cross of A-1962 (non-patented, non-released breeding genotype)×Jupiter (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,309) made in 1990. This new grapevine cultivar can be distinguished by its seedless, blue/black berries of with neutral and occasional slight fruity flavor, medium sized clusters, medium vigor, and healthy plant.

Latin name: Vitis labrusca L.×Vitis vinifera L.

Varietal denomination: ‘Faith’.

BACKGROUND

The new and distinct cultivar of grape named ‘Faith’ is describedherein. The new cultivar originated from a hand-pollinated cross ofA-1962 (female parent) and Jupiter (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,309; maleparent) made in 1990. The seedlings fruited in the summer of 1992 in avineyard near Clarksville, Ark. and one was selected for its seedless,medium large, non-slipskin blue/black berries. The fruit grows in mediumsized clusters, the vines have medium vigor and the plants are healthy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct cultivar of grapevine originated from ahand-pollinated cross of A-1962 (non-patented, non-released breedinggenotype; female parent)×Jupiter (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,309; maleparent) made in 1990 near Clarksville, Ark. The instant cultivar is ahybrid of Vitis labrusca L. and Vitis vinifera L. The seeds resultingfrom this controlled hybridization were germinated in a greenhouseduring the winter of 1990-91. Resulting seedlings were planted in thespring of 1991 in a vineyard near Clarksville, Ark. The seedlingsfruited in the summer of 1993 and one seedling, designated ArkansasSelection 2412, was selected for its seedless, blue, non-slipskinberries of mostly neutral but occasionally slight fruity flavor, mediumsized clusters, medium vigor, and healthy plant.

During late 1993 and early 1994, the original plant selection waspropagated asexually at the above-noted location, by rooting hardwoodcuttings and a test planting of three vines was established. In allpropagations hardwood cuttings were used and the instant cultivar rootedreadily from hardwood cuttings. All propagules (resulting plants) of theinstant cultivar have been observed to be true to type in that duringall asexual multiplication, the vegetative and fruit characteristics ofthe original plant have been maintained. All vines planted from hardwoodcutting propagation fruited in the second or third season of growth inthe vineyard after planting.

Vines of the new cultivar have medium vigor, with a procumbent growthhabit characteristic of V. labrusca. It has produced well as own-rootedplants in all testing and has not been evaluated on any rootstocks.Hardiness of the vines has been very good, with no winter injury to thevines to 5° F. in the most severe winters at the Arkansas test site.

The new cultivar is moderately resistant to powdery mildew (Erysiphenecator Schw. (syns. Uncinula necator (Schw.) Burr., E. tuckeri Berk.,U. americana Howe, and U. spiralis Berk. & Curt; anamorph Oidium tuckeriBerk.), downy mildew (Plasmopora viticola Berl. & Tomi.), andanthrancnose (Elsinoe ampelina (d. By.) Sher), but susceptible to blackrot (Guignardia bidwellii (Ell.) V. & R.). Fungal diseases can becontrolled by the use of available fungicides.

The new cultivar ripens its fruit in the early season, from late July toearly August. The fruit is blue in color at early maturity. It is evenlycolored within the cluster. The fruit shape is oval. Fruit skins adhereto the flesh (has a non-slipskin texture). The berries are medium (ca.4.5 g). The flavor is neutral with an occasional slight fruity flavor.Solids concentration of the juice at fruit maturity averages 19% withmedium acidity. The fruit is of the stenospermocarpic type ofseedlessness and can contain 1-2 small, soft vestigial seed traces thatare not noticeable when eaten. Fruit clusters, borne usually one to twoper shoot, are medium sized with an average weight of 150 to 250 g.

The new cultivar has been named the ‘Faith’ cultivar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietyat 9 years of age in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possibleto make in a color illustration of this character.

FIG. 1 is a photograph showing typical specimens of the fruit.

FIG. 2 is a photograph showing the leaf adaxial view.

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing the leaf abaxial view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

‘Faith’ differs from its female parent A-1962 in that ‘Faith’ has firmertexture, has smaller berries, is more productive, and is seedless.‘Faith’ differs from it male parent ‘Jupiter’ as this parent is reddishblue, has smaller clusters and has a distinct muscat flavor.

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and pomologicalcharacteristics of the subject grapevine. Color data are presented inRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart designations, 1986 version,second edition.

Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, itis to be understood that such characteristics are approximations ofaverages set forth as accurately as practicable.

The descriptions reported herein are from specimens grown nearClarksville, Ark. Vines used for measurement were irrigated usingtrickle (drip) irrigation. The data collection was from vines that were15 years old.

-   Vine:    -   -   Size.—Medium.        -   Growth.—Moderately vigorous.        -   Density of foliage.—Medium.        -   Productivity.—Moderate.        -   Rootstock.—None; vines tested were own-rooted vines.        -   Cold hardiness.—Hardy to 5° C. (−15° C.); possibly more            hardy as this was the coldest temperature experienced at the            test site.        -   Shoots (current-season canes).—Color of shoots on the side            exposed to direct sunlight — Greyed-Purple Group (184A).            Color on the side shaded from the sun Yellow-Green Group            (146C). Anthocyanin present on the shoot sides exposed to            direct sunlight. Shoot attitude is procumbent.        -   Canes (mature measured in winter).—Color of mature cane:            base mostly Greyed-Orange Group (165A); midpoint            Greyed-Green Group (188D) overlaying Greyed-Orange Group            (165A); terminal Greyed-Orange Group (165A); anthocyanin not            observed on mature canes at base, midpoint, or terminal.            Length average 2.8 m with range of 2.3-3.1 m. Diameter of            mature cane: base 1.1 cm, midpoint 0.8 cm, terminal 0.5 cm.            Internode length: base 8.1 cm, midpoint 12.4 cm, terminal            9.1 cm. Lenticels present on mature canes at heavy density            and small (less than 0.5 mm in diameter). Canes mature to            tips in the fall.        -   Trunk.—Shape — slender. Trunk straps — long, split. Surface            texture — shaggy. Inner bark color — Greyed-orange group            (177B). Outer bark color — Grey group, (201D).-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaves.—Leaves simple and alternate; shape orbicular; number            of lobes 1; petiole sinus shape half open; venation            palmate-pinnate; margin serrated with shape of teeth convex            and teeth medium in size. Color of mature leaves: base            abaxial — Yellow-Green Group (147B); base adaxial — Green            Group (137A); midpoint abaxial — Yellow-Green Group (147B);            midpoint adaxial — Green Group (137A); terminal abaxial —            Yellow-Green Group (147B); terminal adaxial — Green Group            (137A). No anthocyanin on upper or lower surfaces of leaves            or on leaf veins. Color of young leaves: base abaxial —            Yellow-Green Group (146C); base adaxial — Yellow-Green Group            (146B); midpoint abaxial — Yellow-Green Group (148C);            midpoint adaxial — Yellow-Green Group (146C); terminal            abaxial — Yellow-Green Group (148D); terminal adaxial —            Yellow-Green Group (146D). No anthocyanins on upper or lower            surfaces of leaves or on leaf veins.        -   Petioles.—Color on young leaves — Greyed-Purple Group            (184A). Color of mature petioles — abaxial Yellow-Green            Group (146D); adaxial Greyed-Purple Group (184B). Petiole            anthocyanin present mostly on the sunlit side. Sinus of            mature leaf is 4.4 cm deep and 1.2 cm at widest point.            Mature leaves have sparse pubescence. Young leaves have            sparse to medium pubescence that is prostrate.        -   Tendrils.—Found on almost every node, not opposite, and not            spiraled. Length — 18.5 cm. Texture smooth and usually            forked and curled on distal end. Color of mature tendril —            Greyed-Orange Group 165A.        -   Buds.—Average number of buds on a current, single-season            cane — 26. Dormant bud (compound bud or eye) width 4.2 mm;            shape rounded triangular. Color Greyed-Orange Group (165A).            Texture smooth with some trichomes (slightly fuzzy).-   Disease resistance: Moderately resistant to powdery mildew, and    downy mildew; susceptible to black rot. Other disease or pest    susceptibilities not known.-   Flowers:    -   -   Sex.—Hermaphrodite.        -   Date of bloom.—May 9 (first); May 14 (full). Flowers per            cluster — 491.        -   Stamens.—Number: 5 and erect. Color: Green-White Group            (157A).        -   Pistil.—Number: 1. Length: 3.6 mm. Color: Yellow-Green Group            (144A).        -   Pollen.—Color: Yellow Group (10A), normal and fertile.        -   Petal.—Cap of 6 fused petals in tubular shape. Color            Yellow-Green Group (147C).        -   Sepal.—None.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity.—Early season; ripens late July to early August.        -   Berry.—Shape — Oval. Color — Greyed-Purple Group (187A).            Size — Diameter at equator: 1.7 cm. Diameter at base:            1.4 cm. Diameter at apex: 1.4 cm. Length: 2.3 cm. Weight:            4.5 g; uniform in size. Texture — Non-slipskin. Skin            thickness — Medium to thin. Seeds — 0 to 1 seed per berry            and always soft. Brush length — 3.39 mm. Flavor — Neutral            with occasional slight fruity flavor. Soluble solids —            19.0%.        -   Juice.—pH — 4.2. Titratable acidity — 2.78 g/L tartaric            acid. Soluble solids — 19.0%.        -   Cluster.—Weight — 158.2 to 250.8 g; mean 204.5 g. Length —            19.9 cm. Width — 10.1 cm. Berries per cluster — 140-293,            mean=195.2. Cluster per vine — 115. Clusters per shoot — one            to two. Peduncle length — 1.93 cm. Pedicle: Length —            1.45 cm. Diameter — 0.47 cm. Color — Yellow-Green Group            (146B). Use — Fresh consumption as a table grape is the            primary use particularly for local markets. No processing            evaluations done.-   The cultivar: The most distinctive features of the cultivar are its    seedless, blue, non-slipskin berries with neutral to occasional    slight fruity flavor, medium sized clusters, medium vigor, and    healthy plant.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of grape plant named ‘Faith’substantially as illustrated and described.